November was a month of Thanks and Giving

for the National Action Network

November was a very busy month for the Chicago and Los Angeles chapters of National Action Network.  The Chicago Chapter of NAN partnered with Affinity Community Services, WPWX-FM/Power92.3’s hottest drive-time DJs, the HOT BOYZ, and WSRB-FM/SOUL 106.3 radio stations to educate the windy city’s Black community about HIV/AIDS.

Affinity is a not-for-profit, grassroots organization that has been serving Chicago's Black lesbian and bisexual women's community for over 14 years.  Building upon the dedication of the founding members, Affinity has expanded into an institution that serves the entire ChicagoLand and surrounding communities. Historical elements of their work evolved out of Affinity's need to provide visibility, empowerment and leadership for Black lesbians.

Thanks to Lisa Marie Pickens, Co-Founder, President and Treasurer, Kelly Suzanne Saulsberry, Vice-President, Kim L. Hunt, Executive Director, Aisha F. Truss-Miller, Youth Program Coordinator, Linda E. Doss and Michele D. Miller, the event was a tremendous success! “We tested seventy-five (75) women for HIV infection and educated forty (40) others about condom negotiation, how to use female condoms and the importance of taking charge of their body.

During the five hour event, Shag Nice and Tone “aka” The HOT BOYZ, as well as DJ Diazz of SOUL 106.3 FM broadcasted live from the event and did several on-air interviews addressing the importance of HIV testing and education.  Power92 along with their sister station, SOUL 106.3 FM, donated tickets to Tyler Perry’s upcoming play, PRECIOUS, gift certificates to area restaurants and day spas and tickets to a number of upcoming concerts in the Chicago area.  The HOT BOYZ and DJ Diazz also committed to monthly HIV/AIDS informational updates during their broadcasts.

Meanwhile, back in Los Angeles, Reverend K.W. Tullous, President of the National Action Network, Los Angeles Chapter and the Western Regional Director and National Health and Wellness Director, Mr. Tony R. Wafford, joined residents and members of the community in and around South Los Angeles on Monday, November 23rd in a “National Day of Outrage” to address the violence in South Central Los Angeles.

This gathering in Los Angeles was just one of 20 other U.S. cities where the National Action Network chapters partnered nationwide to call for a National Day of Outrage to end the violence in urban communities. These events were spearheaded by Reverend Al Sharpton and 20 different chapters of National Action Network.

Joining Rev. Tullous and Tony R. Wafford as partners and sponsoring organizations in this National Day of Outrage were the following; Project Cry No More, Gangsters for Christ, Nation Of Islam, Southern Christian Leadership Conference Los Angeles, Detours,  H.E.L.P.E.R.S Alliance, (formally Venice 2000), 2nd CALL, It’s Time For A Real Change, Chapter Two, L.A.U.R.A, Teeamworks, Community Call To Action & Accountability, Gang Talk With Sis Herron, Watts Gang Task Force, Kalikoat Kids, We Care Ministry, Hope For Life Foundation, Teeida Townsend, Silver Lining of Hope Foundation, Concord Church, Southern Missionary Baptist Church, United Christian Missionary Baptist Church, Weller Street Missionary Baptist Church, St. Rest Baptist Church, South Side Bethel Baptist Church,  LAPD, Los Angeles County Sheriff Department, Youth Justice Coalition, One Child Our Village Foundation and many more.

Justice Department researchers said that most children in the United States are exposed to violence in their daily lives — findings that Attorney General Eric Holder called "staggering."  A leading criminologist cautioned that the survey may be lumping serious and minor incidents together.

More than 60 percent of children surveyed were exposed to violence within the past year, either directly or indirectly, according to data compiled by the department. The survey's authors defined exposure to violence as being a victim, or having witnessed violence, or learning about violence against a relative, friend, or hearing about a threat to their school or home.  That approach raised questions for some.

"What concerns me when you hear numbers like this is that in their attempt to be inclusive, which is commendable, the definition of violence becomes so broad that the results lack real meaning." said James Alan Fox, criminal justice professor at Northeastern University.  He also stated that if you broaden the definition of violence so much, then most people will be included.

Nearly half of all children surveyed were assaulted at least once in the past year and about 6 percent were victimized sexually, the survey found.  "Those numbers are astonishing, and they are unacceptable." Holder said in Chicago, where he was meeting with local officials to discuss the disturbing beating death of a high school student by other teens.

"We simply cannot stand for an epidemic of violence that robs our youths of their childhood and perpetuates a cycle in which today's victims become tomorrow's criminals." Holder said.  For example, the survey's definition of sexual victimization includes rape, attempted rape, sexual harassment, or flashing.

Among other findings in the survey; nearly one in ten children said they saw one family member assault another in the past year. More than one-half of the children, about 57 percent, reported having been assaulted at some point in their life.  Thirteen percent reported having been physically bullied in the last year.  The results were based on telephone interviews of 4,549 kids and adolescents aged 17 and younger between January and May of 2008. The National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence was sponsored by the Justice Department's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, with help from the Centers for Disease Control.

The Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder and the US Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan were in Chicago to meet with local officials, parents and students to discuss the vicious beating of a 16-year-old high school student whose killing was captured on a cell phone video. Derrion Albert, an honor roll student at Christian Fenger Academy High School, was attacked when he got caught up in a mob of teens about six blocks from school. Video shows him curled up on the sidewalk as fellow teens kicked and hit him with splintered railroad ties.  So far, four teens have been charged in his death.

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